Атлант расправил плечи

           Whydotheykeeplookingatmethatway—sheandReardenandallthosepeople?Whyaretheysosurethey’reright?...IfIacknowledgetheirsuperiorityinthematerialrealm,whydon’ttheyacknowledgemineinthespiritual?

           Theyhavethebrain,butIhavetheheart.Theyhavethecapacitytoproducewealth,butIhavethecapacitytolove.Isn’tminethegreatercapacity?Hasn’titbeenrecognizedasthegreatestthroughallthecenturiesofhumanhistory?Whywon’ttheyrecognizeit?...Whyaretheysosurethey’regreat?...Andifthey’regreatandI’mnot—isn’tthatexactlywhytheyshouldbowtome,becauseI’mnot?

           Wouldn’tthatbeanactoftruehumanity?Ittakesnokindnesstorespectamanwhodeservesrespect—it’sonlyapaymentwhichhe’searned.Togiveanunearnedrespectisthesupremegestureofcharity.

           ...Butthey’reincapableofcharity.They’renothuman.Theyfeelnoconcernforanyone’sneed...orweakness.Noconcern...andnopity..."

           Shecouldunderstandlittleofit,butsheunderstoodthathewasunhappyandthatsomebodyhadhurthim.Hesawthepainoftendernessinherface,thepainofindignationagainsthisenemies,andhesawtheglanceintendedforheroes—giventohimbyapersonabletoexperiencetheemotionbehindthatglance.

           Shedidnotknowwhyshefeltcertainthatshewastheonlyonetowhomhecouldconfesshistorture.Shetookitasaspecialhonor,asonemoregift.